September 2007

Technology Overview

Use AVL to:

Locate transit fleet
Monitor schedule performance
Assign appropriate vehicle for route deviation or demand response pickup
Provide more efficient transit vehicle and modal connections
Enhance on-board safety through quicker incident response

An Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system is a computer-based vehicle tracking system that uses a specific location technology (usually Global Positioning Satellites - GPS) and a method of transmitting that real-time location of any receiver-equipped bus, van, train, or boat from the vehicle to a dispatch center. GPS satellites locate the bus, and the location data are then transmitted to the transit center through the communications system. The AVL-data can be used immediately for daily operations or archived for further analysis.

As a stand-alone technology, AVL does not serve many functional purposes. When combined with other technologies or processes, however, it can deliver many benefits in the areas of fleet management, systems planning, safety and security, traveler information, fare payment, and data collection. Introduction of an AVL system is often the first step in a more comprehensive Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) implementation.